U.S. patent application number 12/955710 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-31 for communication system for a rail vehicle consist and method for communicating with a rail vehicle consist.
Invention is credited to John Brand, Jared Klineman Cooper, Robert Foy, Kaitlyn Hrdlicka, Kevin Kapp, Brian McManus, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Stephen Smith.
Application Number | 20120136515 12/955710 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46127163 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120136515 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Noffsinger; Joseph Forrest ;
et al. |
May 31, 2012 |
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST AND METHOD FOR
COMMUNICATING WITH A RAIL VEHICLE CONSIST
Abstract
A communication system for a rail vehicle consist includes
antenna modules, routing modules, and an arbitration module. The
antenna modules are disposed at spaced apart locations and receive
a trip profile from an off-board device. The trip profile is
related to tractive and/or braking effort supplied by one or more
powered units of the rail vehicle consist. The routing modules are
disposed on the powered units and are communicatively coupled with
the antenna modules. The routing modules are communicatively
coupled with a network connection extending along the rail vehicle
consist between the powered units. The arbitration module is
communicatively coupled with the routing modules by the network
connection. The routing modules transmit the received trip profile
to the arbitration module. The arbitration module reconstitutes the
trip profile into a message that is transmitted to a propulsion
subsystem of one or more of the powered units.
Inventors: |
Noffsinger; Joseph Forrest;
(Grain Valley, MO) ; Foy; Robert; (Melbourne,
FL) ; McManus; Brian; (Melbourne, FL) ; Smith;
Stephen; (Melbourne, FL) ; Brand; John;
(Melbourne, FL) ; Cooper; Jared Klineman; (Palm
Bay, FL) ; Kapp; Kevin; (Melbourne, FL) ;
Hrdlicka; Kaitlyn; (Lawrence Park, PA) |
Family ID: |
46127163 |
Appl. No.: |
12/955710 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61L 15/0027 20130101;
B61L 15/0036 20130101; B61L 27/0022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/19 |
International
Class: |
G05D 1/00 20060101
G05D001/00 |
Claims
1. A communication system for a rail vehicle consist, the system
comprising: antenna modules configured to be disposed at spaced
apart locations along the rail vehicle consist, the antenna modules
configured to receive a trip profile from an off-board device, the
trip profile related to at least one of tractive effort or braking
effort supplied by one or more of powered units of the rail vehicle
consist; routing modules disposed on the powered units of the rail
vehicle consist and communicatively coupled with the antenna
modules, the routing modules communicatively coupled with a network
connection extending between the powered units; and an arbitration
module disposed on at least one of the powered units and
communicatively coupled with the routing modules of the powered
units by the network connection, wherein one or more of the routing
modules transmits the trip profile received from the off-board
device to the arbitration module, and the arbitration module
reconstitutes the trip profile into a message that is transmitted
to a propulsion subsystem of one or more of the powered units.
2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
antenna modules is configured to transmit a trip initialization
request to the off-board device, the trip initialization request
including a request for the trip profile.
3. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the routing modules
are configured to transmit the trip profile along the network
connection at a faster rate than the antenna modules are configured
to receive the trip profile from the off-board device.
4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the antenna modules
are configured to receive different subsets of data packets forming
the trip profile, the routing units transmitting the different
subsets of the data packets to the arbitration module through the
network connection, and the arbitration module is configured to
reconstitute the different subsets of the data packets into the
trip profile.
5. The communication system of claim 4, wherein the arbitration
module is configured to eliminate duplication of one or more of the
same subsets of the data packets sent by a plurality of the antenna
modules when the arbitration reconstitutes the data packets into
the trip profile.
6. The communication system of claim 4, wherein the arbitration
module is configured to transmit the message to one or more of the
powered units through the network connection.
7. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the router modules
are configured to communicate the trip profile to the arbitration
module through a cable bus that extends between the powered
units.
8. A method for communicating with a rail vehicle consist, the
method comprising: receiving a trip profile from an off-board
device at antenna modules disposed at spaced apart locations along
the rail vehicle consist, the trip profile related to at least one
of tractive effort or braking effort supplied by one or more
powered units of the rail vehicle consist; communicating at least
part of the trip profile as received by one or more of the antenna
modules to an arbitration module associated with one or more of the
powered units through a network connection extending between the
powered units; forming a message from the trip profile at the
arbitration module; and transmitting the message from the
arbitration module to a propulsion subsystem of one or more of the
powered units through the network connection.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising transmitting a trip
initialization request to the off-board device, the trip
initialization request including a request for the trip
profile.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the
communicating or transmitting steps includes communicating the trip
profile or transmitting the message along the network connection at
a faster rate than the receiving step receives the trip
profile.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving step includes
receiving different subsets of data packets forming the trip
profile at the antenna modules, further comprising reconstituting
the different subsets of the data packets into the trip
profile.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the reconstituting step
includes eliminating duplication of one or more of the same subsets
of the data packets.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the trip profile comprises at
least one of tractive or braking settings to be applied by one or
more of the powered units during an upcoming trip of the rail
vehicle consist.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving step includes
wirelessly receiving the trip profile from the off-board device
while the rail vehicle consist is moving.
15. A communication method comprising: receiving first data
relating to a trip profile, wherein the first data is received
wirelessly at a first rail car of a rail vehicle consist from a
dispatch center or other source off-board the rail vehicle consist;
communicating the first data from the first rail car to a second
rail car of the rail vehicle consist, wherein the first data is
communicated over a network interconnecting the first and second
rail cars; and controlling the rail vehicle consist based on the
first data as received by the second rail vehicle from the first
rail vehicle over the network.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: receiving second
data relating to the trip profile, wherein the second data is
received wirelessly at a third rail car of the rail vehicle consist
from the dispatch center or other source off-board the rail vehicle
consist; communicating the second data from the third rail car to
the second rail car of the rail vehicle consist, wherein the second
data is communicated over the network, the network interconnecting
the first, second, and third rail cars; arbitrating the first data,
as received by the second rail vehicle from the first rail vehicle
over the network, and the second data, as received by the second
rail vehicle from the third rail vehicle over the network, to
produce arbitrated data relating to the trip profile; and
controlling the rail vehicle consist based on the arbitrated
data.
17. A computer readable storage medium for a communication system
of a rail vehicle consist, the computer readable storage medium
including instructions to direct a processor to: receive a trip
profile transmitted by an off-board device and obtained by one or
more antenna modules disposed at spaced apart locations along the
rail vehicle consist, the trip profile related to at least one of
tractive effort or braking effort supplied by one or more powered
units of the rail vehicle consist; examine the trip profile to
identify a message represented by the trip profile; and transmit
the message to a propulsion subsystem of one or more of the powered
units through a network connection extending between the powered
units, the propulsion subsystem configured to change the at least
one of the tractive effort or braking effort during an upcoming
trip.
18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the
instructions direct the processor to transmit a trip initialization
request to the off-board device, the trip initialization request
including a request for the trip profile.
19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the
instructions direct the processor to transmit the message along the
network connection at a faster rate than the antenna modules
receive the trip profile.
20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the
instructions direct the processor to receive different subsets of
data packets forming the trip control and reconstitute the
different subsets of the data packets into the trip profile.
21. The computer readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the
instructions direct the processor to eliminate duplication of one
or more of the same subsets of the data packets.
22. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the
instructions direct the processor to receive the trip profile and
form the message while the rail vehicle is moving.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. XX/XXX,XXX, filed on XXX. XX, XXXX, entitled "Communication
System For A Rail Vehicle Consist And Method For Communicating
Within A Rail Vehicle Consist," and having Attorney Docket No.
244677 (552-0021) (the "XXX Application"). The entire subject
matter of the 'XXX Application is incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] One or more embodiments of the subject matter described
herein relate to data communications and, more particularly, to
data communications with a rail vehicle.
[0003] Rail vehicles may include multiple powered units, such as
locomotives, that are mechanically coupled or linked together in a
consist. The consist of powered units operates to provide tractive
and/or braking efforts to propel and stop movement of the rail
vehicle. The powered units in the consist may change the supplied
tractive and/or braking efforts based on a data message that is
communicated to the powered units. For example, the supplied
tractive and/or braking efforts may be based on Positive Train
Control (PTC) instructions or control information for an upcoming
trip. The control information may be used by a software
application, such as the Trip Optimizer.TM. system from General
Electric Company, to determine the speed of the rail vehicle for
various segments of an upcoming trip of the rail vehicle.
[0004] The data message having the information used to control the
tractive and/or braking efforts may be communicated to the rail
vehicle while the rail vehicle is moving. For example, wayside
equipment may wirelessly transmit the data message to an antenna
module of the rail vehicle.
[0005] However, as the rail vehicles move relative to the wayside
equipment, the wireless transmission of the data message is subject
to several propagation problems. These problems include, but are
not limited to, the existence of dead spots or low signal areas
where little to no data message is transmitted but through which
the rail vehicle travels, reduced transmission rates due to the
need to re-transmit lost data, and the like. Additional problems
associated with wireless transmission of data messages include
atmospheric interference, mechanical failure of the receiving
antenna module, and the like.
[0006] A need exists for a system and method for communicating with
a rail vehicle that avoids one or more of the above
shortcomings
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0007] In one embodiment, a communication system for a rail vehicle
consist includes antenna modules, routing modules, and an
arbitration module. The antenna modules are configured to be
disposed at spaced apart locations along the rail vehicle consist.
The antenna modules are configured to receive a trip profile from
an off-board device. The trip profile is related to at least one of
tractive effort or braking effort supplied by one or more powered
units of the rail vehicle consist. The routing modules are disposed
on the powered units of the rail vehicle and are communicatively
coupled with the antenna modules. The routing modules are
communicatively coupled with a network connection extending along
the rail vehicle consist between the powered units. The arbitration
module is disposed on at least one of the powered units and is
communicatively coupled with the routing modules of the powered
units by the network connection. One or more of the routing modules
transmits the trip profile received from the off-board device to
the arbitration module. The arbitration module reconstitutes the
trip profile into a message that is transmitted to a propulsion
subsystem of one or more of the powered units.
[0008] In another embodiment, a method for communicating with a
rail vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving a trip
profile from an off-board device at antenna modules disposed at
spaced apart locations along the rail vehicle. The trip profile is
related to at least one of tractive effort or braking effort
supplied by one or more of a lead powered unit or trailing powered
units of the rail vehicle. The method also includes communicating
at least part of the trip profile from one or more of the antenna
modules to an arbitration module associated with the lead powered
unit through a network connection extending along the rail vehicle
between the lead powered unit and the trailing powered units. The
method further includes forming a message from the trip profile at
the arbitration module and transmitting the message from the
arbitration module to a propulsion subsystem of one or more of the
lead powered unit or the trailing powered units through the network
connection.
[0009] In another embodiment, a computer readable storage medium
for a communication system of a rail vehicle is provided. The
computer readable storage medium includes instructions to direct a
processor to receive a trip profile transmitted by an off-board
device and obtained by one or more antenna modules disposed at
spaced apart locations along the rail vehicle. The trip profile is
related to at least one of tractive effort or braking effort
supplied by one or more of a lead powered unit or trailing powered
units of the rail vehicle. The instructions also direct the
processor to examine the trip profile to identify a message
represented by the trip profile and transmit the message to a
propulsion subsystem of one or more of the lead powered unit or
trailing powered units through the network connection. The
propulsion subsystem is configured to change the at least one of
the tractive effort or braking effort during an upcoming trip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will be better understood from reading
the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with
reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a
communication system for a rail vehicle consist;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the
communication system shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates one example of an MU cable bus that may
be used as the network connection shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of several data packets that
are used to communicate network data in the communication system
shown in FIG. 1 in one embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 5 shows one example of how modulator modules shown in
FIG. 2 can function, cast in terms of the Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) network model, according to one
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of a
communication unit; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for
communicating with a rail vehicle consist.
DETAILED DESCRPTION
[0018] Reference will be made below in detail to example
embodiments of the inventive subject matter, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numerals used throughout the drawings refer to the
same or like parts. Although example embodiments of the inventive
subject matter are described with respect to trains, locomotives,
and other rail vehicles, embodiments also may be applicable for use
with vehicles generally, such as off-highway vehicles, agricultural
vehicles, and/or transportation vehicles, each of which may include
a vehicle consist. As noted above, a vehicle consist is a group of
powered units (such as locomotives) or other vehicles that are
mechanically coupled or linked together to travel along a route,
with each vehicle in the consist being adjacent to one or more
other vehicles in the consist.
[0019] At least one embodiment described herein provides for
communication systems that transmit and/or receive data signals
with a moving rail vehicle consist. The systems and methods
described herein can provide for an increased success rate in
transmitting a message to a moving rail vehicle consist over
several data packets. The message may be wirelessly transmitted to
several antenna modules disposed at spaced apart locations along
the rail vehicle consist. The spaced apart locations of the antenna
modules may increase the probability that at least one of the
antenna modules will receive each transmitted data packet. The
received data packets can be conveyed through a network connection
of the rail vehicle consist to an arbitrating communication unit or
arbitration module that reconstitutes the transmitted message from
the received data packets. The message can be used to, among other
things, control tractive and/or braking efforts of the rail vehicle
consist.
[0020] One or more embodiments of the disclosed systems can be
retrofitted to an existing consist of a rail vehicle consist. For
example, antenna modules may be added to one or more locomotives or
other cars of the rail vehicle and an existing multiple unit (MU)
cable may be used to provide the network connection over which the
received data packets and the reconstituted message are conveyed
within the rail vehicle consist.
[0021] At least one technical effect of one or more embodiments
described herein is the communication of data signals from an
off-board device that transmits the data signals to spaced apart
antenna modules on the rail vehicle consist, where the rail vehicle
consist reconstitutes the subsets of the data signals received at
the different antenna modules in order to control tractive
operations of the rail vehicle consist.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a
communication system 100 for a rail vehicle consist 102. As used
herein, the term "rail vehicle" may mean plural rail cars
(including powered and/or non-powered rail cars or units) linked
together as a consist or a single rail car (a powered or unpowered
rail car or unit). The communication system 100 provides for
increased reliability in the communication of network data from an
off-board device 104 and the rail vehicle consist 102. The
communication system 100 may be used to convey a variety of network
data to the rail vehicle consist 102, such as packetized data or
information that is communicated in data packets, from the
off-board device 104. The off-board device 104 can represent a
wireless transmitter or transceiver disposed near a track 106 that
the rail vehicle consist 102 travels along and that is configured
to wirelessly transmit data messages to the rail vehicle consist
102. The messages may originate elsewhere, such as in a rail yard
back office system, a remotely located server, a computer disposed
in a rail yard tower, and the like, and be communicated to the
off-board device 104 by wired and/or wired connections.
Alternatively, the off-board device 104 may be a satellite that
transmits the message down to the rail vehicle consist 102 or a
cellular tower disposed remote from the rail vehicle consist 102
and the track 106. Other devices may be used as the off-board
device 104 to wirelessly transmit the messages. For example, other
wayside equipment or base stations may be used as the off-board
device 104. By way of example only, the off-board device 104 may
use one or more of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP),
Internet Protocol (IP), TCP/IP, User Datagram Protocol (UDP), or
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) to communicate network
data with the rail vehicle consist 102. As described below, the
network data can include information used to automatically and/or
remotely control operations of the rail vehicle consist 102 and/or
reference information stored and used by the rail vehicle consist
102 during operation of the rail vehicle consist 102.
[0023] The rail vehicle consist 102 includes several interconnected
powered units 108, 110 and non-powered units 112. "Powered units"
refers to rail cars that are capable of self-propulsion, such as
locomotives. "Non-powered units" refers to rail cars that are
incapable of self-propulsion, but which may otherwise receive
electric power for other services. For example, cargo cars,
passenger cars, and other types of rail cars that do not propel
themselves may be "non-powered units," even though the cars may
receive electric power for cooling, heating, communications,
lighting, and the like.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the powered units 108, 110
represent locomotives joined with each other in a locomotive
consist 114. The locomotive consist 114 represents a group of two
or more locomotives in the rail vehicle consist 102 that are
mechanically coupled or linked together to travel along a route.
The locomotive consist 114 may be a subset of the rail vehicle
consist 102 such that the locomotive consist 114 is included in the
rail vehicle consist 102 along with additional powered and/or
non-powered units in the rail vehicle consist 102. While the rail
vehicle 102 only includes a single locomotive consist 114,
alternatively the rail vehicle 102 may include two or more
locomotive consists 114 joined together or interconnected by one or
more intermediate powered or non-powered units that do not form
part of the locomotive consists 114.
[0025] The powered units 108, 110 include a lead powered unit 108,
such as a lead locomotive, and one or more trailing powered units
110, such as trail locomotives. As used herein, the terms "lead"
and "trailing" are designations of different powered units, and do
not necessarily reflect positioning of the powered units 108, 110,
112 in the rail vehicle consist 102 or the locomotive consist 114.
For example, a lead powered unit may be disposed between two
trailing powered units. Alternatively, the term "lead" may refer to
the first powered unit in the rail vehicle consist 102 or the
locomotive consist 114 and "trailing" powered units refer to
powered units positioned after the lead powered unit. In another
embodiment, the term "lead" refers to a powered unit that is
designated for primary control of the locomotive consist 114 and
"trailing" refers to powered units that are under at least partial
control of the lead powered unit.
[0026] The powered units 108, 110 include a connection at each end
of the powered unit 108, 110 to couple propulsion subsystems 116 of
the powered units 108, 110 such that the powered units 108, 110 in
the locomotive consist 114 function together as a single tractive
unit. The propulsion subsystems 116 include electric and/or
mechanical devices and components used to provide tractive effort
that propels the powered units 108, 110 and braking effort that
slows the powered units 108, 110.
[0027] The propulsion subsystems 116 of the powered units 108, 110
in the locomotive consist 114 are connected and communicatively
coupled with each other by a network connection 118. In one
embodiment, the network connection 118 includes a net port and
jumper cable that extends along the rail vehicle 102 and between
the powered units 108, 110. The network connection 118 may be a
cable that includes twenty seven pins on each end that is referred
to as a multiple unit cable, or MU cable. Alternatively, a
different wire, cable, or bus, or other communication medium, may
be used as the network connection 118. For example, the network
connection 118 may represent an Electrically Controlled Pneumatic
(ECP) brake line, a fiber optic cable, or wireless connection.
[0028] The network connection 118 may include several channels over
which network data is communicated. Each channel can represent a
different pathway for the network data to be communicated. For
example, different channels may be associated with different wires
or busses of a multi-wire or multi-bus cable. Alternatively, the
different channels may represent different frequencies or ranges of
frequencies over which the network data is transmitted.
[0029] The powered units 108, 110 may include communication units
120, 126 that are used to control operations of the propulsion
subsystems 116 of the powered units 108, 110. The communication
unit 120 is disposed in the lead powered unit 108 and may be
referred to as a lead communication unit. As described below, the
lead communication unit 120 also may be the unit that handles
arbitration of received data packets forming a message transmitted
by the off-board device 104. As a result, the lead communication
unit 120 alternatively may be referred to as an arbitrating
communication unit. In another embodiment, another communication
unit 126 may handle arbitration of the data packets and be referred
to as the arbitrating communication unit. The communication units
126 are disposed in different trailing powered units 110 and may be
referred to as trailing communication units. Alternatively, one or
more of the communication units 120, 126 may be disposed outside of
the corresponding powered units 108, 110, such as in a nearby or
adjacent non-powered unit 112.
[0030] The communication units 120, 126 in the rail vehicle consist
102 can be connected with the network connection 118 such that the
communication units 120, 126 are communicatively coupled with each
other by the network connection 118 and linked together in a
computer network. Alternatively, the communication units 120, 126
may be linked by another wire, cable, or bus, or be linked by one
or more wireless connections. The networked communication units
120, 126 are referred to as an "intra-consist network."
[0031] The networked communication units 120, 126 include antenna
modules 122. The antenna modules 122 represent separate individual
antenna modules or sets of antenna modules disposed at different
locations along the rail vehicle consist 102. For example, an
antenna module 122 may represent a single wireless receiving
device, such as a single 220 MHz TDMA antenna module, a single
cellular modem, a single wireless local area network (WLAN) antenna
module (such as a "Wi-Fi" antenna module capable of communicating
using one or more of the IEEE 802.11 standards or another
standard), a single WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave
Access) antenna module, a single satellite antenna module (or a
device capable of wirelessly receiving a data message from an
orbiting satellite), a single 3G antenna module, a single 4G
antenna module, and the like. As another example, an antenna module
122 may represent a set or array of antenna modules, such as
multiple antenna modules having one or more TDMA antenna modules,
cellular modems, Wi-Fi antenna modules, WiMax antenna modules,
satellite antenna modules, 3G antenna modules, and/or 4G antenna
modules.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna modules 122 are disposed at
spaced apart locations along the length of the rail vehicle consist
102. For example, the single or sets of antenna modules represented
by each antenna module 122 may be separated from each other along
the length of the rail vehicle consist 102 such that each single
antenna module or antenna module set is disposed on a different
powered or non-powered unit 108, 110, 112 of the rail vehicle
consist 102. The antenna modules 122 receive network data that is
communicated from the off-board device 104. For example, the
off-board device 104 may include an antenna module 124 that
wirelessly communicate the network data from a location that is off
of the track 106 to the rail vehicle consist 102 via one or more of
the antenna modules 122. Alternatively, the antenna modules 122 may
be connectors or other components that engage a pathway over which
network data is communicated. For example, if the network data is
communicated as a differential signal over a running rail of the
track 106 (such as the rail that some wheels of the rail vehicle
consist 102 roll along), a powered or third rail of the track 106,
and/or an overhead catenary that supplies power to the rail vehicle
consist 102, the antenna modules 122 may represent connectors or
pick ups that engage the rail or catenary in order to receive the
network data communicated through the rail or catenary. The spaced
apart antenna modules 122 provide diverse antenna modules or
diversity receivers of the rail vehicle consist 102.
[0033] The diverse antenna modules 122 enable the rail vehicle
consist 102 to receive the network data transmitted by the
off-board device 104 at multiple locations along the rail vehicle
consist 102. Increasing the number of locations where the network
data can be received by the rail vehicle consist 102 can increase
the probability that all, or a substantial portion, of a message
conveyed by the network data is received by the rail vehicle
consist 102. For example, if some antenna modules 122 are
temporarily blocked or otherwise unable to receive the network data
as the rail vehicle consist 102 is moving relative to the off-board
device 104, other antenna modules 122 that are not blocked and are
able to receive the network data may receive the network data.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the
communication system 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication
units 120, 126 of the powered units 108, 110 (shown in FIG. 1) of
the rail vehicle consist 102 (shown in FIG. 1) are interconnected
and communicatively coupled with each other by the network
connection 118. The network connection 118 may include, or be
embodied in, an MU cable or another conductive bus, wire, or cable,
or by wireless connections between the communication units 120,
126. For example, the network connection 118 may be embodied in an
Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brake cable bus.
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates one example of an MU cable bus 300 that
may be used as the network connection 118 (shown in FIG. 1). Other
configurations of the network connection 118 or MU cable bus 300
are possible, depending on the type of rail vehicle consist 102
(shown in FIG. 1) and/or powered units 108, 110 (shown in FIG. 1)
that are included in the rail vehicle consist 102. The MU cable bus
300 may be an existing electrical bus interconnecting a lead
powered unit 302 (such as the lead powered unit 108) and one or
more trailing powered units 304 (such as the trailing powered units
110) in the consist (such as the rail vehicle consist 102 or the
locomotive consist 114 shown in FIG. 1).
[0036] The MU cable bus 300 includes a front port 306, a rear port
308, and an internal electrical system 310 that connects the front
port 306 and the rear port 308 in each of the powered units 302,
304. The internal electrical system 310 includes one or more
electronic components 312, such as the communication unit 120 or
126 (shown in FIG. 1). In the illustrated example, the internal
electrical system 310 comprises a front terminal board 314
electrically connected to the front port 306, a rear terminal board
316 electrically connected to the rear port 308, a central terminal
board 318, and first and second electrical conduit portions 320,
322 electrically connecting the central terminal board 318 to the
front terminal board 314 and the rear terminal board 316,
respectively. The central terminal board 318, front terminal board
314, and rear terminal board 316 may each comprise an insulating
base (attached to the powered unit 302, 304) on which terminals for
wires or cables have been mounted. This provides flexibility in
terms of connecting different electronic components to the MU cable
bus 300.
[0037] The electronic components 312 may be electrically connected
to the central terminal board 318 and to the MU cable bus 300.
Although the front port 306 and the rear port 308 may be located
generally at the front and rear of the powered unit 302, the front
and/or rear ports 306, 308 may be located elsewhere and
designations such as "front," "rear," "central," are not meant to
be limiting but are instead provided for identification
purposes.
[0038] The MU cable bus 300 includes a cable jumper 328. The jumper
328 includes opposite plug ends 322, 324 and a flexible cable
portion 326 electrically and mechanically connecting the plug ends
322, 324. The plug ends 322, 324 mate with the ports 308, 306. The
cable jumper 328 may be electrically symmetrical, meaning either
plug end 322, 324 can be attached to either port 306, 308. The
cable jumper 328 is used to electrically interconnect the internal
electrical systems 310 of adjacent powered units 302, 304. As such,
for each adjacent pair of powered units 302, 304, one plug end 322
of the cable jumper 328 is attached to the rear port 308 of the
front powered unit 302 and the other plug end 324 of the cable
jumper 328 is attached to the front port 306 of the rear powered
unit 304. The flexible cable portion 326 of the cable jumper 328
extends between the two plug ends 322, 324, providing a flexible
but secure electrical connection between the powered units 302,
304.
[0039] Depending on the particular type and configuration of the
powered units 302, 304, the electrical conduit portions 320, 322
and cable jumpers 328 may be configured in different manners, in
terms of the number "n" ("n" is a real whole number equal to or
greater than 1) and type of discrete electrical pathways included
in the conduit portions 320, 322 or cable jumper 328. In one
example, each conduit portion 320, 322 and the cable jumper 328
comprises a plurality of discrete electrical wires, such as 12-14
gauge copper wires. In another example, the cable portion 326 of
the cable jumper 328 includes a plurality of discrete electrical
wires, while the conduit portions 320, 322 each include one or more
discrete electrical wires and/or non-wire electrical pathways, such
as conductive structural components of the locomotive, pathways
through or including electrical or electronic components, circuit
board traces, or the like. Although certain elements in FIG. 3 are
shown as including "n" discrete electrical pathways, it should be
appreciated that the number of discrete pathways in each element
may be different, i.e., "n" may be the same or different for each
element.
[0040] As described above, the plug ends 322, 324 of the cable
jumper 328 fit into the ports 306, 308. For this purpose, the plug
ends 322, 324 and ports 306, 308 are complementary in shape to each
other, both for mechanical and electrical attachment. The plug end
322, 324 may include a plurality of electrical pins, each of which
fits into a corresponding electrical socket in a corresponding port
306, 308. The number of pins and sockets may depend on the number
of discrete electrical pathways extant in the internal electrical
conduits 320, 322, cable jumpers 328, etc. In one example, each
plug end 322, 324 is a twenty seven-pin plug.
[0041] The term "MU cable bus" refers to the entire MU cable bus or
any portion(s) thereof, e.g., terminal boards, ports, jumper cable,
conduit portions, and the like. As should be appreciated, when two
locomotives are connected via the cable jumper 328, both the cable
jumper 328 and the internal electrical systems 310 form the MU
cable bus 310. As subsequent powered units are attached using
additional cable jumpers 328, those cable jumpers 328 and the
internal electrical systems 310 of the subsequent powered units
also become part of the MU cable bus 310.
[0042] Returning to the discussion of the communication system 100
shown in FIG. 2, the communication units 120, 126 may be
communicatively coupled by the MU cable bus 310 (shown in FIG. 3)
with the MU cable bus 310 providing the network connection 118. The
MU cable bus 300 may be used for transferring non-network data and
network data between the powered units 108, 110 (shown in FIG. 1)
in the locomotive consist 114 (shown in FIG. 1). In one embodiment,
the "non-network" data may include control information or other
information, which is not packet data or packetized data, used in
the rail vehicle consist 102 or the locomotive consist 114 (shown
in FIG. 1) for control purposes. Conversely, "network" data may
include control information or other information that is packet
data or packetized data.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of several data packets 400
that are used to communicate network data in the communication
system 100 shown in FIG. 1 in one embodiment. The data packets 400
represent sequential groups of data bits that represent part of a
digitally transmitted message. The data packets 400 are
individually labeled 400A, 400B, and so on in FIG. 4. The data
packet 400 includes a header section 402 and a payload section 404.
The header section 402 comprises identifying information about the
message and/or data packet 400. For example, the header section 402
may include the unique address of a recipient of the data packet
400, an indication of the length or number of bits in the data
packet 400, the priority of the data contained in the data packet
400, the sequence of the data packet 400 relative to other data
packets 400, and/or the unique address of the device that
transmitted the data packet 400. The payload section 404 includes
data representative of the message being conveyed by the data
packets 400. For example, the payload section 404 can include data
bits representative of the message that is conveyed by the data
packets 400.
[0044] Returning to the discussion of the communication system 100
shown in FIG. 2, the network data may be communicated through the
network connection 118 of the communication system 100 using the
data packets 400. Conversely, the non-network data may be
communicated through the network connection 118 using
non-packetized data or data that does not include addressing
information, such as a data that is not transmitted in data packets
400 and/or does not include a recipient or transmitter address that
is communicated in the header portion 402 of the data packet
400.
[0045] In another aspect, non-network data is low bandwidth or very
low bandwidth. The non-network data may be transmitted over the
network connection 118 (such as the MU cable bus 300 shown in FIG.
3) according to a designated voltage carrier signal (e.g., a 74
volt on/off signal, wherein 0V represents a digital "0" value and
+74 volts a digital "1" value or an analog signal 0 to 74 volts,
wherein the 0 to 74 volt voltage level may represent a specific
level or percentage of functionality).
[0046] The communication units 120, 126 of the communication system
100 include transceiver units 200, 202 that receive and/or transmit
network data using the antenna modules 122 of the corresponding
communication unit 120, 126. The transceiver units 200, 202 are
each electrically coupled to the network connection 118, such as
the MU cable bus 300 (shown in FIG. 3). The transceiver units 200,
202 transmit and/or receive network data over the network
connection 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the transceiver unit
200 is disposed on the lead powered unit 108 (shown in FIG. 1) and
the transceiver units 202 are disposed on different trailing
powered units 110 (shown in FIG. 1).
[0047] The transceiver units 200, 202 receive network data from the
antenna module 122 that is coupled with the transceiver unit 200,
202. For example, the one or more of the antenna modules 122 may
receive all or part of a message that is digitally and wirelessly
transmitted from the off-board device 104 (shown in FIG. 1) to the
antenna modules 122. Different antenna modules 122 may receive
different sets or subsets of data packets 400 forming the message
that is transmitted by the off-board device 104. For example, if a
message contains 100 sequential data packets, the antenna module
122 of the lead communication unit 120 may receive data packets
400A and 400C, the antenna module 122 of a first trailing
communication unit 126 may receive data packets 400C and 400D, and
the antenna module 122 of a second, different trailing
communication unit 126 may receive the data packets 400B, 400C,
400D. The same data packets that are received by two or more
antenna modules 122 are referred to as duplicative data packets.
For example, the data packets 400C and 400 D are duplicative data
packets received by a plurality of the antenna modules 122.
[0048] The transceiver units 200, 202 may modulate the received
network data into modulated network data for transmission over the
network connection 118, such as over the MU cable bus 300 (shown in
FIG. 3). Similarly, the transceiver units 200, 202 may receive
modulated network data over the network connection from another
transceiver unit 200, 202 and de-modulate the received modulated
network data into network data. "Modulated" means converted from
one form to a second, different form suitable for transmission over
the network connection 118. "De-modulated" means converted from the
second form back into the first form.
[0049] In one embodiment, the modulated network data is orthogonal
to the non-network data transferred between the powered units 108,
110 (shown in FIG. 1) over the network connection 118. "Orthogonal"
means that the modulated network data does not interfere with the
non-network data, and that the non-network data does not interfere
with the modulated network data (at least not to the extent that
would corrupt the data).
[0050] The network data may be TCP/IP-formatted or SIP-formatted
data, however, other communications protocols may be used. As
should be appreciated, the communication units 120, 126 and the
network connection 118 together form a local area network. In one
embodiment, these components are configured to form an Ethernet
network.
[0051] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the transceiver units
200, 202 include routing modules 204 and modulator modules 206. The
transceiver unit 200 of the lead powered unit 108 (shown in FIG. 1)
also may include an arbitration module 208. The modules 204, 206,
208 of the transceiver unit 200 and the modules 204, 206 of the
transceiver unit 202 are electrically connected with each other. In
the example shown in FIG. 2, the modulator modules 206 are
electrically connected to the network connection 118 by the central
terminal board 318 of each powered unit 108, 110 (shown in FIG. 1).
Alternatively, the modulator modules 206 may be directly coupled
with the network connection 118 or include other components that
couple the modulator modules 206 with the network connection 118.
The modules 204, 206, 208 may be embodied in one or more computer
processors, microprocessors, controllers, microcontrollers, other
logic based devices, and the like, that operate based on one or
more sets of instructions stored on computer readable storage
media. For example, the modules 204, 206, 208 of each transceiver
unit 200, 202 may be embodied in software or hardware applications
stored on a tangible and non-transitory computer readable storage
medium, such as a hard drive, RAM, ROM, or EEPROM. The reference
numbers 204, 206, 208 may represent the modules, the processors or
other logic based devices, and/or the media on which the sets of
instructions are stored.
[0052] The routing modules 204 are communicatively coupled to
interface units 210 that are part of and/or operably connected to
the electronic components 312 of the powered units 108, 110 (shown
in FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the electronic components 312 may
be, for example, computers, processors, controllers, and the like,
for controlling tractive operations of the propulsion subsystems
116 (shown in FIG. 1) of the powered units 108, 110.
[0053] The routing modules 204 and interface units 210 can be
communicatively interconnected by network cables 212. For example,
if the routing modules 204 and the interface units 210 are
configured as an Ethernet local area network, the network cables
212 may be a CAT-5E cable. The interface units 210 are functionally
connected to one or more software or hardware applications stored
and/or running on computer readable storage media 214, such as a
tangible and non-transitory memory. Examples of such memories
include computer hard drives, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, and the like. In
one embodiment, the interface units 210, network cables 212, and
media 214 include standard Ethernet-ready (or other network)
components. For example, if the electronic component 312 is a
computer unit, the interface unit 210 may be an Ethernet adapter
connected to computer unit for carrying out network
communications.
[0054] The routing module 204 receives network data from the
corresponding antenna module 122. The routing module 204 examines
the network data to determine the recipient of the network data.
For example, the routing module 204 may determine if the data
packets 400 (shown in FIG. 4) of the network data are addressed to
another communication unit 120, 126 or routing module 204. The
powered units 108, 110 (shown in FIG. 1), communication units 120,
126, and/or routing modules 204 may each be associated with
different, unique addresses. The header section 402 (shown in FIG.
4) of the received data packets 400 may identify the powered unit
108, 110, communication unit 120, 126, and/or routing module 204
that is the addressed recipient of the data packet 400. The routing
module 204 determines the addressed recipient of the data packet
400 and communicates the data packet 400 and the addressed
recipient to the modulator module 206.
[0055] The modulator modules 206 modulate the received network data
into modulated network data and transmit the modulated network data
over the network connection 118. The modulator modules 206
communicate the modulated network data to the addressed recipient
of the data packets 400 (shown in FIG. 4). In one embodiment, the
modulator modules 206 of the trailing communication units 202
transmit the data packets 400 to the lead communication unit 120
while the modulator module 206 of the lead communication unit 120
retains the data packets 400 and does not transmit the data packets
400 to another communication unit 126.
[0056] The off-board device 104 (shown in FIG. 1) may transmit the
message contained in the data packets 400 to all or several of the
antenna modules 122 to increase the probability that at least one
antenna module 122 receives each data packet 400 of the message. As
the antenna module 122 of the different communication units 120,
126 receive the various data packets 400, the communication units
120, 126 convey the data packets 400 to the addressed recipient of
the data packets 400, such as the lead communication unit 120.
Alternatively, the communication units 120, 126 may transmit the
received data packets 400 to the lead communication unit 120
regardless of the addressed recipient of the data packets 400.
[0057] The modulator module 206 of the lead communication unit 120
(referred to as the "lead modulator module") receives the modulated
network data transmitted from other communication units 202 over
the network connection 118. The lead modulator module 206
de-modulates the modulated network data into network data, which is
then conveyed to the arbitrator module 208. The antenna module 122
of the lead communication unit 120 may receive one or more data
packets 400 (shown in FIG. 4) of the message transmitted by the
off-board device 104 (shown in FIG. 1). The received data packets
400 are conveyed to the arbitration module 208.
[0058] The routing module 204 and/or the modulator module 206 of
one or more of the communication units 120, 126 may perform various
processing steps on the network data and/or the modulated network
data for transmission and reception both over the network
connection 118 and/or the network cable 212. Additionally, one both
of the routing module 204 and/or the modulator module 206 of the
communication units 120, 126 may perform network data routing
functions.
[0059] The modulator modules 206 may be communicatively coupled
with an electrical output (e.g., port, wires) for electrical
connection to the network connection 118, and/or internal circuitry
(e.g., electrical and isolation components, microcontroller,
software/firmware) for receiving network data from the routing
module 204, modulating the network data into modulated network
data, transmitting the modulated network data over the network
connection 118, receiving modulated network data over the network
connection 118, de-modulating the modulated network data into
network data, and communicating the network data to the routing
module 204. The internal circuitry may be configured to modulate
and de-modulate data using schemes such as those utilized in VDSL
or VHDSL (very high bitrate digital subscriber line) applications,
or in power line digital subscriber line (PDSL) applications. One
example of a suitable modulation scheme is orthogonal
frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM). OFDM is a
frequency-division multiplexing scheme wherein a large number of
closely-spaced orthogonal sub-carriers are used to carry data. The
data is divided into several parallel data streams or channels, one
for each sub-carrier. Each sub-carrier is modulated with a
conventional modulation scheme (such as quadrature amplitude
modulation or phase shift keying) at a low symbol rate, maintaining
total data rates similar to conventional single-carrier modulation
schemes in the same bandwidth. The modulation or communication
scheme may involve applying a carrier wave (at a particular
frequency orthogonal to frequencies used for non-network data in
the MU cable bus) and modulating the carrier wave using digital
signals corresponding to the network data.
[0060] In one embodiment, the modulation modules 208 transmit the
data packets 400 based on priority indices associated with the data
packets 400. The priority index represents a precedence of one data
packet 400 or a group of data packets 400 relative to one or more
other data packets 400. The modulator modules 206 may transmit the
data packets 400 having a greater priority index (indicating a
higher precedence) before transmitting data packets 400 having
lesser priority indices (representative of lower precedence).
[0061] The modulator modules 206 may transmit the data packets 400
may be based on a Quality of Service (QoS) characteristic of the
network connection 118. The QoS characteristic is a measurement or
other representation of the ability of the network connection 118
or a channel of the network connection 118 to transmit network data
at a predetermined transmission rate, data flow, throughput, or
bandwidth. For example, the QoS characteristic for the network
connection 118 or a channel of the network connection 118 may be a
comparison of the actual transmission rate of the network
connection 118 or channel with a predetermined threshold
transmission rate of the network connection 118 or channel.
Alternatively, the QoS characteristic may be a measurement of
dropped data packets 400 that are transmitted through the network
connection 118 or channel, a delay or latency of transmission of
the data packets 400 along the network connection 118 or channel,
jitter or delays among the data packets 400, an order of delivery
of the various data packets 400, and/or an error in transmitting
one or more of the data packets 400.
[0062] The priority index of the data packets 400 and the QoS
characteristic of the network connection 118 or channel may be used
by the modulator modules 206 to determine which data packets 400
are transmitted. For example, when the QoS characteristic of the
network connection 118 or a channel falls below a threshold, then
only the data packets 400 having a priority index that exceeds
another threshold may be transmitted.
[0063] FIG. 5 shows one example of how the modulator modules 206
can function, cast in terms of the Open Systems Interconnection
(OSI) network model, according to one embodiment. In this example,
the modulator modules 206 include a physical layer 500 and a data
link layer 502. The data link layer 502 is divided into sub-layers.
The first sub-layer is an application protocol convergence (APC)
layer 504. The APC layer 504 accepts Ethernet (or other network)
frames from an upper application layer (e.g., the routing module
204) and encapsulates them into MAC (medium access control) service
data units, which are transferred to a logical link control (LLC)
layer 506. The LLC layer 506 is responsible for potential
encryption, aggregation, segmentation, automatic repeat-request,
and similar functions. A third sub-layer of the data link layer 502
is a MAC layer 508, which schedules channel access.
[0064] The physical layer 500 is divided into multiple sub-layers.
One sub-layer is a physical coding sub-layer (PCS) 510, which is
responsible for generating PHY (physical layer) headers. A second
sub-layer is a physical medium attachment (PMA) layer 512, which is
responsible for scrambling and FEC (forward error correction)
coding/decoding. A third sub-layer is a physical medium dependent
(PMD) layer 514, which is responsible for bit-loading and OFDM
modulation. The PMD layer 514 is configured for interfacing with
the network connection 118, according to the particular
configuration (electrical or otherwise) of the network connection
118. The other sub-layers may be medium independent, i.e., do not
depend on the configuration of the network connection 118.
[0065] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of a
communication unit 600. The communication unit 600 may be used in
place of one or more of the communication units 120, 126 (shown in
FIG. 2). The communication unit 600 includes a control unit 602, a
switch 604, a main bus 606, a network interface portion 608, and a
Very-high-bitrate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) module 610. The
control unit 602 includes a controller 612, such as a processor or
other logic based device, and a control unit bus 614. The
controller 612 is electrically connected to the control unit bus
614 for communicating data over the bus 614. The control unit 602
may include several modules, such as a routing module 616, a
modulation module 618, and/or an arbitration module 620. The
modules 616, 618, 620 may be similar to the modules 204, 206, 208
(shown in FIG. 2) described above and perform similar
functions.
[0066] The switch 604 is a network switching/router module
configured to process and route packet data and other data. The
switch 604 interfaces the control unit 602 with the main bus 606.
The switch 604 may be, for example, a layer 2/3 multi-port switch.
The network interface portion 608 is electrically connected to the
main bus 606, and comprises an octal PHY (physical layer) portion
622 and a network port portion 624. The network port portion 624 is
electrically connected to the octal PHY portion 622. The octal PHY
portion 622 may comprise a 10/100/1000 Base T S-port Ethernet (or
other network) transceiver circuit. The network port portion 624
may comprise an Ethernet (or other network) transformer and
associated CAT-5E receptacle (or other cable type receptacle) for
receiving a network cable 626.
[0067] The VDSL module 610 also is connected to the main bus 606 by
way of an octal PHY unit 628, which may be the same unit as the
octal PHY portion 622 or a different octal PHY unit. The VDSL
module 610 comprises a physical interface portion (PHY) 630
electrically connected to the octal PHY unit 628, a VDSL control
632 electrically connected to the physical interface portion 630, a
VDSL analog front end unit 634 electrically connected to the VDSL
control 632, and a VDSL port unit 636 electrically connected to the
VDSL analog front end unit 634. The VDSL port unit 636 may be
communicatively coupled with the network connection 118. The
physical interface portion 630 acts as a physical and electrical
interface with the octal PHY unit 628, e.g., the physical interface
portion 630 may comprise a port and related support circuitry. The
VDSL analog front end unit 634 is configured for transceiving
modulated network data (e.g., sending and receiving modulated data)
over the network connection 118, and may include one or more of the
following: analog filters, line drivers, analog-to-digital and
digital-to-analog converters, and related support circuitry (e.g.,
capacitors).
[0068] The VDSL control 632 is configured for converting and/or
processing network data for modulation and de-modulation, and may
include a microprocessor unit, ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) and
IP (Internet Protocol) interfaces, and digital signal processing
circuitry/functionality. The VDSL port unit 636 provides a physical
and electrical connection to the network connection 118, and may
include transformer circuitry, circuit protection functionality,
and a port or other attachment or connection mechanism for
connecting the VDSL module 610 to the network connection 118.
Overall operation of the communication unit 600 shown in FIG. 6 is
similar to what is described in relation to FIG. 2.
[0069] Returning to the discussion of the communication system 100
shown in FIG. 2, once the lead communication unit 120 receives the
data packets 400 (shown in FIG. 4) forming a message from the
off-board device 104 (shown in FIG. 1), the arbitration module 208
examines the data packets 400 to form the message. In one
embodiment, the arbitration module 208 sequentially arranges the
data packets 400 based on identifying information in the header
section 402 (shown in FIG. 4) of the data packets 400. The
arbitration module 208 may eliminate duplicative data packets 400.
For example, the arbitration module 208 may discard multiple
instances of the same data packet 400 that is received from two or
more of the trailing communication units 202. The data packets 400
are re-constituted or combined into the message transmitted by the
off-board device 104. The combined data packets 400 may be referred
to as a "reconstituted network message."
[0070] The lead communication unit 120 may be referred to as the
arbitrating communication unit as the lead communication unit 120
may receive the data packets 400 (shown in FIG. 4), eliminate
duplication of the data packets 400, and arrange the data packets
400 into the message. Alternatively, a trailing communication unit
126 may be the arbitrating communication unit. For example, the
trailing communication unit 126 of a trailing powered unit 110
(shown in FIG. 1) may include the arbitration module 208 that
receives the data packets 400 from the other communication units
120, 126, eliminates duplication of data packets 400, and
reconstitutes the message from the data packets 400.
[0071] After the arbitration module 208 forms the reconstituted
network message from the received data packets 400 (shown in FIG.
4), the arbitration module 208 determines where to transmit the
reconstituted network message. For example, the reconstituted
network message may include control instructions to direct
operations of the propulsion subsystems 116 (shown in FIG. 1) of
one or more of the powered units 108, 110 (shown in FIG. 1). The
arbitration module 208 identifies the powered units 108, 110 to
which the reconstituted network message is addressed based on one
or more of the data packets 400 and directs the routing and/or
modulation modules 204, 206 of the lead communication unit 126 to
transmit the reconstituted network message as network data to the
addressed powered units 108, 110. The modulation module 206 may
communicate the reconstituted message in the data packets 400 to
the communication unit 126 of the addressed powered unit 108, 110
via the network connection 118.
[0072] In one embodiment, the arbitration module 208 directs the
modulation module 206 to transmit the message to the addressed
powered units 108, 110 based on a priority index associated with
the message. The priority index represents a precedence of the
message relative to one or more other messages. The arbitration
module 208 may direct the modulator module 206 to transmit messages
having greater priority indices (indicating higher precedence)
before transmitting messages having lesser priority indices
(representative of lower precedence).
[0073] The arbitration module 208 may direct the modulation module
206 to transmit a message may be based on a Quality of Service
(QoS) characteristic of the network connection 118. The QoS
characteristic is a measurement or other representation of the
ability of the network connection 118 or a channel of the network
connection 118 to transmit network data at a predetermined
transmission rate, data flow, throughput, or bandwidth. For
example, the QoS characteristic for the network connection 118 or a
channel of the network connection 118 may be a comparison of the
actual transmission rate of the network connection 118 or channel
with a predetermined threshold transmission rate of the network
connection 118 or channel. Alternatively, the QoS characteristic
may be a measurement of dropped data packets 400 that are
transmitted through the network connection 118 or channel, a delay
or latency of transmission of the data packets 400 along the
network connection 118 or channel, jitter or delays among the data
packets 400, an order of delivery of the various data packets 400,
and/or an error in transmitting one or more of the data packets
400.
[0074] The priority index of a message and the QoS characteristic
of the network connection 118 or channel may be used by the
arbitration module 208 to determine which messages are transmitted.
For example, when the QoS characteristic of the network connection
118 or a channel falls below a threshold, then only the messages
having a priority index that exceeds another threshold may be
transmitted.
[0075] The trailing communication units 202 that receive the
reconstituted network message through the network connection 118
convey the message to the electronic components 312 of the
associated powered unit 110 (shown in FIG. 1). The electronic
components 312 may include devices that control tractive and/or
braking efforts supplied by the propulsion subsystem 116 (shown in
FIG. 1) of the trailing powered unit 110 that receives the
reconstituted network message. The reconstituted network message
may be stored in the computer readable storage medium 214. The
electronic components 312 use the information contained in the
reconstituted network message to control tractive and/or braking
operations of the trailing powered unit 110.
[0076] If all or part of the reconstituted network message is
addressed to the lead powered unit 108 (shown in FIG. 1), then the
arbitration module 208 may convey the reconstituted network message
to the electronic component 312 of the lead powered unit 108. As
described above, the electronic component 312 may use the
reconstituted network message to control operations of the
propulsion subsystem 116 (shown in FIG. 1) of the lead powered unit
108.
[0077] In another embodiment, the message that is transmitted by
the off-board device 104 (shown in FIG. 1) to the antenna modules
122 of the rail vehicle consist 102 (shown in FIG. 1) includes a
trip profile. The trip profile includes tractive and/or braking
settings for one or more of the powered units 108, 110 to follow
during an upcoming trip of the rail vehicle consist 102 over a
route between a starting location and a finishing location. The
tractive and/or braking settings may dictate speeds of the rail
vehicle consist 102 at various locations along the route. The trip
profile is used by the propulsion subsystems 116 of the powered
rail vehicles 108, 110 to control or change the speed of the rail
vehicle consist 102. For example, the trip profile can include the
speed and/or power settings for the rail vehicle consist 102 to
follow or abide by, which may be expressed as functions of distance
and/or time from the starting location, operating limits of the
rail vehicle consist 102 (such as power, brake, or speed limits),
expected fuel consumed, emissions generated, and the like. The trip
profile can be based on a variety of input information, such as the
location of the rail vehicle consist 102, the type and/or model of
the powered units 108, 110 in one or more consists of the rail
vehicle consist 102, the tractive power of the rail vehicle consist
102 and/or one or more of the powered units 108, 110, the
performance of the propulsion subsystems 116 of the powered units
108, 110, consumption of engine fuel as a function of output power
by the powered units 108, 110, cooling characteristics of the
propulsion subsystems 116, the intended trip route (including
effective track grade, actual track grade, location of curves and
track switches along the route as a function of milepost, car
makeup and loading (including effective drag coefficients), desired
trip parameters including, but not limited to, start time and
location, end location, travel time, crew (user and/or operator)
identification, crew shift expiration time, and trip route, for
example.
[0078] In one embodiment, the trip profile can be used in
conjunction with a software application, such as the Trip
Optimizer.TM. software provided by General Electric Company, during
an upcoming trip of the rail vehicle consist 102 over a
predetermined route. As described above, the trip profile may
dictate settings of the propulsion subsystems 116 during the future
trip of the rail vehicle consist 102. The trip profile is used to
reduce fuel consumption and/or emissions from the rail vehicle
consist 102 during the trip.
[0079] The trip profile is transmitted to the antenna modules 122
by the off-board device 104 (shown in FIG. 1) as one or more
messages. As described above, the data packets 400 (shown in FIG.
4) of the message are conveyed to the lead communication unit 120
and reconstituted into the message. The lead communication unit 120
conveys the message to the electronic components 312 of the
trailing powered units 110 over the network connection 118 and/or
to the electronic components 312 of the lead powered unit 108. The
electronic components 312 use the trip profile in order to
determine how to control and/or change tractive and/or braking
efforts provided by the different propulsion subsystems 116 as the
rail vehicle consist 102 traverses the route of the trip. For
example, based on the message, one or more of the propulsion
subsystems 116 may increase the tractive effort when an upcoming
segment of the trip includes an incline.
[0080] In order to receive the message from the off-board device
104 (shown in FIG. 1), an initialization request may be transmitted
by one or more of the antenna modules 122. For example, prior to
receiving the trip profile from the off-board device 104, the lead
communication unit 120 may form and transmit an initialization
request to the off-board device 104 using the antenna module 122 of
the lead communication unit 120. Alternatively, a plurality of the
antenna modules 122 may transmit the initialization request to the
off-board device 104 to increase the probability that the request
is received. Following receipt of the request, the off-board device
104 may transmit the message or messages containing the trip
profile to the antenna modules 122 of the rail vehicle consist 102
(shown in FIG. 1).
[0081] The initialization request may be formed by the routing
module 204 of the lead communication unit 120 and may include the
addresses of one or more of the antenna modules 122. For example,
the antenna modules 122 of one rail vehicle consist 102 may have
addresses that are different than the addresses of the antenna
modules of another rail vehicle. In order to prevent the trip
profile from being received by another rail vehicle, the trip
profile may be transmitted with the addresses of the antenna
modules 122 that are intended to receive the trip profile.
Alternatively, the rail vehicles may be associated with different
addresses and the trip profile may be transmitted with the address
of the rail vehicle that is intended to receive the trip
profile.
[0082] In another embodiment, the message may be non-trip and
non-tractive control related information. For example, the message
may be other data such as voice over IP ("VoIP") data used to
communicate a verbal message to human operators or passengers on
the rail vehicle consist 102 (shown in FIG. 1), data related to
cargo or commodities being transported by the rail vehicle consist
102, or other information.
[0083] In any of the embodiments herein, the network data
transmitted over the network connection 118, such as data
communicated between the communication units 120, 126, may be "high
bandwidth" data, meaning data transmitted at average rates of at
least 10 megabytes per second. Conversely, the data transmitted
from the off-board device 104 (shown in FIG. 1) to the antenna
modules 122 may be transmitted at a rate that is slower than high
bandwidth data. For example, the data transmitted to the antenna
modules 122 may be transmitted as "low bandwidth" data, or data
transmitted at an average rate of 1,200 bits per second, or slower.
Alternatively, the network data transmitted over the network
connection 118 may be transmitted as low bandwidth data.
[0084] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method 700 for
communicating with a rail vehicle. The method 700 may be used to
communicate a message from off-board of a rail vehicle to one or
more powered units of the rail vehicle, similar to as described
above. The method 700 may be used in conjunction with the
communication system 100 (shown in FIG. 1) described above.
[0085] At 702, a message request is transmitted from the rail
vehicle. For example, one or more of the communication units 120,
126 (shown in FIG. 2), such as the arbitrating communication unit,
may wirelessly transmit a request to the off-board device 104
(shown in FIG. 1) for data or information. In one embodiment, the
request is for tractive control information related to an upcoming
trip of the rail vehicle consist 102 (shown in FIG. 1), such as
data that can be used with software that manages tractive and/or
braking effort of the rail vehicle consist 102 during an upcoming
trip (e.g., General Electric Company's Trip Optimizer.TM.
software). The message is transmitted by the off-board device 104
as a series of data packets, such as the data packets 400A, 400B,
400C, 400D shown in FIG. 4.
[0086] At 704, the data packets are received at one or more of
plural antenna modules of the rail vehicle. For example, one or
more of the antenna modules 122 (shown in FIG. 1) may receive
subsets or all of the data packets 400 (shown in FIG. 4) of a
message transmitted by the off-board device 104 (shown in FIG. 1).
Different antenna modules 122 may receive overlapping subsets of
the data packets 400 in the message. For example, a first antenna
module 122 may receive data packets 400A and 400B, a second antenna
module 122 may receive data packets 400B, 400C, and 400D, and a
third antenna module 122 may receive data packet 400D.
[0087] At 706, a determination is made as to whether one or more of
the data packets is received by the antenna module of the
arbitrating communication unit. If a data packet is received by a
communication unit other than the arbitrating communication unit,
then the communication unit that received the data packet may need
to transmit the data packet to the arbitrating communication unit.
As a result, flow of the method 700 proceeds to 710. Alternatively,
if a data packet is received by the arbitrating communication unit,
then the arbitrating communication unit may not need to transmit
the data packet to any other communication unit at this time. As a
result, flow of the method 700 can proceed to 708.
[0088] At 708, the arbitrating communication unit retains the data
packet. For example, as the arbitrating communication unit received
the data packet, the data packet does not need to be transmitted to
the arbitrating communication unit. Flow of the method 700 proceeds
from 708 to 712.
[0089] At 710, the data packet is communicated to the arbitrating
communication unit via a network connection. For example, the data
packet 400 (shown in FIG. 4) may be communicated from the receiving
communication unit 126 (shown in FIG. 2) to the arbitrating
communication unit 120 (shown in FIG. 2). The data packet 400 can
be conveyed along the network connection 118 (shown in FIG. 1),
such as a connection that allows high bandwidth data rate
communication and/or is included in an existing connection of the
rail vehicle 101 (shown in FIG. 1), such as the MU cable 300 (shown
in FIG. 3).
[0090] At 712, the arbitrating communication unit determines if one
or more of the data packets are duplicative of each other. For
example, two or more antenna modules 122 (shown in FIG. 1) may
receive the same data packets from the off-board device 104 (shown
in FIG. 1). The arbitrating communication unit identifies which
data packets are duplicated. If the data packets are not
duplicative, then flow of the method 700 proceeds to 716.
Alternatively, if one or more data packets are duplicated, then the
duplicative data packets may need to be discarded or not included
in the message. As a result, flow of the method 700 proceeds to
714.
[0091] At 714, the duplicated data packets are eliminated. For
example, if the first antenna module 122 (shown in FIG. 1) receives
data packets 400A and 400B (shown in FIG. 4), the second antenna
module 122 received data packets 400B, 400C, and 400D, and the
third antenna module 122 received data packet 400D and all of these
data packets 400 were conveyed to the arbitrating communication
unit 120 (shown in FIG. 1), then the arbitrating communication unit
120 may determine that multiple data packets 400B and data packets
400D were received. The arbitrating communication unit 120 may
discard all but one of the duplicated data packets 400B and all but
one of the duplicated data packets 400D.
[0092] At 716, the message is reconstituted from the data packets
received at the arbitration communication unit. For example, the
non-duplicated data packets 400 (shown in FIG. 4) that are received
by one or more antenna modules 122 (shown in FIG. 1) along the
length of the rail vehicle consist 102 (shown in FIG. 1) and
transmitted to the arbitrating communication unit 120 (shown in
FIG. 1) via the network connection 118 (shown in FIG. 1) may be
combined into the message transmitted by the off-board device 104
(shown in FIG. 1).
[0093] At 718, the reconstituted message is transmitted to one or
more of the powered units of the rail vehicle. For example, the
arbitrating communication unit 120 (shown in FIG. 1) may transmit
the reconstituted message to the communication units 120, 126
(shown in FIG. 1) coupled with propulsion subsystems 116 (shown in
FIG. 1) of the lead and/or trailing powered units 108, 110 (shown
in FIG. 1). The message may then be interpreted by the
communication units 120, 126 to control the tractive and/or braking
efforts provided by the propulsion subsystems 116.
[0094] One or more embodiments described herein provide systems and
methods for communicating with a rail vehicle consist. The systems
and methods increase the probability that a wirelessly transmitted
message is received by the rail vehicle consist. For example, by
increasing the number of locations along the rail vehicle consist
at which one or more fragments or subsets of the message may be
received as data packets, the probability that the entire message
will be received increases. The systems and methods also provide
for reconstituting the fragments or subsets of the message into the
message so that the information contained in the message may be
used to control operations in the rail vehicle consist. In one
embodiment, the systems and methods may be used on existing rail
vehicle consists and existing communication systems of a rail
vehicle consist. For example, existing antenna modules on
locomotives may be coupled with each other via an existing MU cable
(or one or more antenna modules may be added to the locomotives and
coupled via the MU cable). The antenna modules can receive the data
packets of the message and convey the data packets via the MU cable
to an arbitrating communication unit that reconstitutes the message
from the data packets.
[0095] In one embodiment, a communication system for a rail vehicle
consist includes antenna modules, routing modules, and an
arbitration module. The antenna modules are configured to be
disposed at spaced apart locations along the rail vehicle consist.
The antenna modules are configured to receive a trip profile from
an off-board device. The trip profile is related to at least one of
tractive effort or braking effort supplied by one or more powered
units of the rail vehicle consist. The routing modules are disposed
on the powered units of the rail vehicle consist and are
communicatively coupled with the antenna modules. The routing
modules are communicatively coupled with a network connection
extending along the rail vehicle consist between the lead powered
unit and the trailing powered units. The arbitration module is
disposed on at least one of the powered units and is
communicatively coupled with the routing modules of the powered
units by the network connection. One or more of the routing modules
transmits the trip profile received from the off-board device to
the arbitration module. The arbitration module reconstitutes the
trip profile into a message that is transmitted to a propulsion
subsystem of one or more of the powered units.
[0096] In another aspect, at least one of the antenna modules is
configured to transmit a trip initialization request to the
off-board device. The trip initialization request includes a
request for the trip profile.
[0097] In another aspect, the routing modules are configured to
transmit the trip profile along the network connection at a faster
rate than the antenna modules are configured to receive the trip
profile from the off-board device.
[0098] In another aspect, the antenna modules are configured to
receive different subsets of data packets forming the trip profile.
The routing units may transmit the different subsets of the data
packets to the arbitration module through the network connection.
The arbitration module is configured to reconstitute the different
subsets of the data packets into the trip profile.
[0099] In another aspect, the arbitration module is configured to
eliminate duplication of one or more of the same subsets of the
data packets sent by a plurality of the antenna modules when the
arbitration reconstitutes the data packets into the trip
profile.
[0100] In another aspect, the arbitration module is configured to
transmit the message to one or more of the powered units through
the network connection.
[0101] In another aspect, the router modules are configured to
communicate the trip profile to the arbitration module through a
cable bus that extends between the powered units.
[0102] In another aspect, one or more of the antenna modules are
configured to receive at least part of the trip profile after the
trip initialization request is transmitted by a master transceiver
unit.
[0103] In another aspect, the antenna modules are associated with a
unique address of the rail vehicle consist and a master transceiver
unit is configured to transmit the unique address of the rail
vehicle consist to the off-board device with a trip initialization
request. The trip profile may include the unique address of the
rail vehicle consist.
[0104] In another aspect, each of the transceiver units is
associated with a unique address and the master transceiver unit is
configured to transmit a plurality of the unique addresses of the
transceiver units to the off-board device with the trip
initialization request. The trip profile may include the plurality
of unique addresses.
[0105] In another embodiment, a method for communicating with a
rail vehicle consist is provided. The method includes receiving a
trip profile from an off-board device at antenna modules disposed
at spaced apart locations along the rail vehicle consist. The trip
profile is related to at least one of tractive effort or braking
effort supplied by one or more powered units of the rail vehicle
consist. The method also includes communicating at least part of
the trip profile as received by one or more of the antenna modules
to an arbitration module associated with one or more of the powered
units through a network connection extending between the powered
units. The method further includes forming a message from the trip
profile at the arbitration module and transmitting the message from
the arbitration module to a propulsion subsystem of one or more of
the powered units through the network connection.
[0106] In another aspect, the method also includes transmitting a
trip initialization request to the off-board device. The trip
initialization request may include a request for the trip
profile.
[0107] In another aspect, at least one of the communicating or
transmitting steps includes communicating the trip profile or
transmitting the message along the network connection at a faster
rate than the receiving step receives the trip profile.
[0108] In another aspect, the receiving step includes receiving
different subsets of data packets forming the trip profile at the
antenna modules and the method also includes reconstituting the
different subsets of the data packets into the trip profile.
[0109] In another aspect, the reconstituting step includes
eliminating duplication of one or more of the same subsets of the
data packets.
[0110] In another aspect, the trip profile includes at least one of
tractive or braking settings to be applied by one or more of the
powered units during an upcoming trip of the rail vehicle
consist.
[0111] In another aspect, the receiving step includes wirelessly
receiving the trip profile from the off-board device while the rail
vehicle consist is moving.
[0112] In another embodiment, a computer readable storage medium
for a communication system of a rail vehicle consist is provided.
The computer readable storage medium includes instructions to
direct a processor to receive a trip profile transmitted by an
off-board device and obtained by one or more antenna modules
disposed at spaced apart locations along the rail vehicle consist.
The trip profile is related to at least one of tractive effort or
braking effort supplied by one or more powered units of the rail
vehicle consist. The instructions also direct the processor to
examine the trip profile to identify a message represented by the
trip profile and transmit the message to a propulsion subsystem of
one or more of the powered units through the network connection.
The propulsion subsystem is configured to change the at least one
of the tractive effort or braking effort during an upcoming
trip.
[0113] In another aspect, the instructions direct the processor to
transmit a trip initialization request to the off-board device. The
trip initialization request may include a request for the trip
profile.
[0114] In another aspect, the instructions direct the processor to
transmit the message along the network connection at a faster rate
than the antenna modules receive the trip profile.
[0115] In another aspect, the instructions direct the processor to
receive different subsets of data packets forming the trip control
and reconstitute the different subsets of the data packets into the
trip profile.
[0116] In another aspect, the instructions direct the processor to
eliminate duplication of one or more of the same subsets of the
data packets.
[0117] In another aspect, the instructions direct the processor to
receive the trip profile and form the message while the rail
vehicle consist is moving.
[0118] In another embodiment, a communication method comprises a
step of receiving data relating to a trip profile. The data is
received wirelessly at a first rail car of a rail vehicle consist.
The data is received from a dispatch center or other source
off-board the rail vehicle consist. The method further comprises
communicating the data from the first rail car to a second rail car
of the rail vehicle consist. The data is communicated over a
network interconnecting the first and second rail cars. (The rail
cars may be powered units; the network may be a wired network.) The
method further comprises controlling the rail vehicle consist based
on the data as received by the second rail vehicle from the first
rail vehicle over the network. Control may include, for example,
propulsion and/or braking commands for moving the rail vehicle
consist along a route.
[0119] In another embodiment, a communication method comprises a
step of receiving first data relating to a trip profile. The first
data is received wirelessly at a first rail car of a rail vehicle
consist. The first data is received from a dispatch center or other
source off-board the rail vehicle consist. The method further
comprises communicating the first data from the first rail car to a
second rail car of the rail vehicle consist. The first data is
communicated over a network interconnecting the first and second
rail cars. (The rail cars may be powered units; the network may be
a wired network.) The method further comprises receiving second
data relating to the trip profile. The second data is received
wirelessly at a third rail car of the rail vehicle consist from the
dispatch center or other source off-board the rail vehicle consist.
The method further comprises communicating the second data from the
third rail car to the second rail car of the rail vehicle consist.
The second data is communicated over the network, which
interconnects the first, second, and third rail cars. The method
further comprises arbitrating the first data (as received by the
second rail vehicle from the first rail vehicle over the network)
and the second data (as received by the second rail vehicle from
the third rail vehicle over the network) to produce arbitrated data
relating to the trip profile. The rail vehicle consist is
controlled based on the arbitrated data. Control may include, for
example, propulsion and/or braking commands for moving the rail
vehicle consist along a route. Arbitration may include resolving
conflicts between the first data and the second data, combining all
or part of the first data with all or part of the second data, or
otherwise processing the first data and the second data for
generating the arbitrated data, which may comprise all or part of
the trip profile.
[0120] In another embodiment, a communication method comprises a
step of receiving, at one or more of a plurality of wireless
receivers respectively located on a plurality of rail cars (e.g.,
powered units) of a rail vehicle consist, data relating to a trip
profile. The data is received from a dispatch center or other
source off-board the rail vehicle consist. The method further
comprises communicating the data to a first rail car of the
plurality of rail cars. The data is communicated over a network
interconnecting the plurality of rail cars. The method further
comprises, at the first rail car, forming at least one message for
controlling the rail vehicle consist for motoring along a route.
The at least one message is formed based on the data communicated
over the network and received at the first rail car. In an
embodiment, the at least one message is communicated to a
respective propulsion subsystem of one or more cars of the rail
vehicle consist. In another embodiment, the network is a wired
network.
[0121] In another embodiment, a communication method comprises a
step of receiving data relating to a trip profile. The data is
received wirelessly at a first rail car and a second rail car of a
rail vehicle consist. The data is received from a dispatch center
or other source off-board the rail vehicle consist. The method
further comprises communicating at least a portion of the data from
the first rail car and the second rail car to a third rail car of
the consist. The portion is communicated over a network
interconnecting the first, second, and third rail cars. (The rail
cars may be powered units.) The method further comprises, at the
third rail car, forming at least one message for controlling the
rail vehicle consist for motoring along a route. The at least one
message is formed based on the portion of the data communicated
over the network and received at the third rail car. In an
embodiment, the at least one message is communicated to a
respective propulsion subsystem of one or more cars of the rail
vehicle consist. In another embodiment, the network is a wired
network.
[0122] In another embodiment, a communication method comprises a
step of receiving first data and second data relating to a trip
profile. The first data is received wirelessly at a first rail car,
and the second data is received at a second rail car. The first
rail car and the second rail car are part of a rail vehicle consist
that also includes a third rail car. The first data and the second
data are received from a dispatch center or other source off-board
the rail vehicle consist. The method further comprises
communicating at least a first data portion of the first data and
at least a second data portion of the second data, from the first
and second rail cars, respectively, to the third rail car. The
first data portion and the second data portion are communicated
over a network interconnecting the first, second, and third rail
cars. (The rail cars may be powered units; the network may be a
wired network.) The method further comprises, at the third rail
car, arbitrating the first data portion and the second data
portion. Arbitration may include resolving conflicts between the
first data portion and the second data portion, combining all or
part of the first data portion with all or part of the second data
portion, or otherwise processing the first data portion and the
second data portion for use in at least partially re-forming or
reconstituting the trip profile or an aspect of the trip profile.
The method further comprises, at the third rail car, forming at
least one message for controlling the rail vehicle consist for
motoring along a route. The at least one message is formed based on
the first data portion and the second data portion. For example,
the at least one message may be formed based on an at least
partially re-formed or reconstituted trip profile or aspect of the
trip profile. In an embodiment, the at least one message is
communicated to a respective propulsion subsystem of one or more
cars of the rail vehicle consist.
[0123] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in
combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the invention without departing from its scope. While the
dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to
define the parameters of the invention, they are by no means
limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will
be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the
above description. The scope of the subject matter described herein
should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended
claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such
claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including"
and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the
respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the
following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc.
are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical
requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the
following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and
are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112,
sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly
use the phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function void
of further structure.
[0124] This written description uses examples to disclose several
embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to
enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the
embodiments disclosed herein, including making and using any
devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The
patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims,
and may include other examples that occur to one of ordinary skill
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
[0125] The foregoing description of certain embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter will be better understood when read in
conjunction with the appended drawings. To the extent that the
figures illustrate diagrams of the functional blocks of various
embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarily indicative
of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, for example, one
or more of the functional blocks (for example, processors or
memories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (for
example, a general purpose signal processor, microcontroller,
random access memory, hard disk, and the like). Similarly, the
programs may be stand alone programs, may be incorporated as
subroutines in an operating system, may be functions in an
installed software package, and the like. The various embodiments
are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in
the drawings.
[0126] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular
and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not
excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion
is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment"
of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as
excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also
incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly
stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising," "including," or
"having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular
property may include additional such elements not having that
property.
[0127] Since certain changes may be made in the above-described
systems and methods for communicating with a rail vehicle, without
departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter herein
involved, it is intended that all of the subject matter of the
above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted merely as examples illustrating the inventive concepts
herein and shall not be construed as limiting the disclosed subject
matter.
* * * * *